weave an interesting story with the following inputs:
1)eraser (Mr E)
2)pencil (Ms P)
3)notebook (Ms N)
4)classroom
5)recess
6)man vs man,
7)moral ending
word limit: 100-120 words
Answers
Answer:
Many common nouns end in the letter s (lens, cactus, bus, etc.). So do a lot of proper nouns (Mr. Jones, Texas, Christmas). There are conflicting policies and theories about how to show possession when writing such nouns. There is no right answer; the best advice is to choose a formula and stay consistent.
Some writers and editors add ’s to every proper noun, be it Hastings’s or Jones’s. There also are a few who add only an apostrophe to all nouns ending in s; however, this method is typically rare, and not recommended here.
One method, common in newspapers and magazines, is to add an apostrophe plus s (’s) to common nouns ending in s, but only a stand-alone apostrophe to proper nouns ending in s.
Examples:
the class’s hours
Mr. Jones’ golf clubs
The canvas’s size
Texas’ weather
Another widely used technique, the one we favor, is to write the word as we would speak it. For example, since most people saying “Mr. Hastings’ pen” would not pronounce an added s, we would write Mr. Hastings’ pen with no added s. On the other hand, most people would pronounce an added s in “Jones’s,” so we’d write it as we say it: Mr. Jones’s golf clubs. This method explains the punctuation of for goodness’ sake.
Rule 2: To show plural possession of a word ending in an s or s sound, form the plural first; then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples:
the classes’ hours
the Joneses’ car
guys’ night out
two actresses’ roles
Pop Quiz
Place the apostrophe (and perhaps an s) where appropriate.
1. The classes opinions were predictable according to their grade levels.
2. The boss suit was brand new.
3. The bus steering wheel was wearing out.
4. The Crosses dog bit the mailman.
5. We understand Lagos airport handled over one million passengers last year.
6. The Smiths boat sank.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. The classes’ opinions were predictable according to their grade levels.
2. The boss’s suit was brand new.
3. The bus’s steering wheel was wearing out.
4. The Crosses’ dog bit the mailman.
5. We understand Lagos’s (OR Lagos’) airport handled over one million passengers last year.
6. The Smiths’ boat sank.
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522 responses to “Apostrophes with Words and Names Ending in s”
Scot says:
January 2, 2007, at 11:35 am
I’m sorry, but Ms. Jones owns a house, hence it is Ms. Jones’ house, etc.
“Joneses” as such states that more than one member of the Jones family is being referred to. Adding (incorrectly) an apostrophe paramount to stating “The hot sun is hot.”
This “new” English or “incorrect English based on general, incorrect usage” is terrible. Or should we all say “He did good” just because so many English speakers use this phrase incorrectly?
Jane says:
January 3, 2007, at 4:05 am
One could say “the Jones house” using “Jones” as an adjective. One could also say “I saw the Joneses yesterday” using “Joneses” as a plural. However, one cannot say “the Joneses house” without using an apostrophe. This is a plural possessive so “the Joneses’ house” is correct.
The Skeptical Cynic says:
September 8, 2017, at 4:10 am
In speaking one would the say phonetically The Joneses house, In writing why would one not write The Jones’s house? It is abundantly clear what is meant by that written term The Joneses’ house is awkward
The Adams house spoken might mean ownership of a house by someone with the surname Adam or Adams,
Why not be absolutely clear about the ownership It’s Adam’s house or it’s the Adams’s house